Eventually, the dungeons ends with the anticipated duel, but for the first time in a while, the journey felt more interesting than the destination. For once, it's not just a means to an end, but truly engrossing gameplay.
Heading back to the gnome lands, Barker showed off a couple more neat innovations. First was a giant mechanical monster - who bares an odd resemblance to the Iron Giant - who must have fallen off Fort Mechanotus on its trip to the sky. If players get too close, he'll literally boot them across the zone. Clever players though can actually climb in the guy's right foot and find themselves in a new zone with a series of quests that take them through the giant.
They stuck to the gnomes' eccentric theme when it came time to transport players from the ground to the fort. Let's just say, there's no better way to travel than by cannon.
Aside from the new levels, SOE also introduces Heroic Stats in the expansion. This is just a further way for players to differentiate their characters.
The innovations in the oldest mainstream MMOG should make the current crop of rinse-lather-repeat games ashamed of themselves. Simply, some of the things this expansion does are on the wishlist for these supposedly "next gen" titles. It's time for people to stop copying EverQuest and to start copying their innovative spirit.
